New Year's Eve 2026
New Year's Eve 2026 is on Thursday, December 31, 2026 (in 64 days), the last day of the year. At midnight it turns into New Year's Day on Friday, January 1, 2027. New Year's Eve is not a federal holiday.
- Date
- Thursday, December 31, 2026
- Countdown
- In 64 days
- Federal holiday
- No
- Date rule
- December 31 (fixed date)
- Possible dates
- Always December 31; only the weekday changes
- Next occurrence
- Friday, December 31, 2027
New Year's Eve dates by year
| Year | Date | Weekday | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | Wednesday | 301 days ago |
| 2026 | December 31, 2026 | Thursday | in 64 days |
| 2027 | December 31, 2027 | Friday | in 14 months |
| 2028 | December 31, 2028 | Sunday | in 2 years |
| 2029 | December 31, 2029 | Monday | in 3 years |
| 2030 | December 31, 2030 | Tuesday | in 4 years |
| 2031 | December 31, 2031 | Wednesday | in 5 years |
| 2032 | December 31, 2032 | Friday | in 6 years |
| 2033 | December 31, 2033 | Saturday | in 7 years |
| 2034 | December 31, 2034 | Sunday | in 8 years |
Dates are calculated from the rule shown above, not copied from a list, so they stay correct for any year. See everything else happening that month in the calendar for December 2026.
The date of New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is always December 31, so only the weekday changes from year to year. The celebration is about the evening and the countdown to midnight, when the new year begins in each time zone. Because the United States spans six time zones, the new year arrives in New York three hours before Los Angeles and five hours before Honolulu. In 2027 New Year's Eve is on Friday, December 31, 2027.
Is New Year's Eve a day off?
December 31 is not a federal holiday, and most offices, banks and the stock exchanges are open, although many businesses close early. There is one exception: when New Year's Day falls on a Saturday, federal employees observe the holiday on the Friday before, so December 31 becomes the federal day off. Many employers also give the afternoon off, and schools are usually already on winter break.
The Times Square ball drop
The best-known American tradition is the ball drop in Times Square, New York City. Celebrations there began in 1904, when The New York Times opened its new headquarters with a rooftop fireworks show, and the first ball was lowered from the flagpole of One Times Square on December 31, 1907. The ball begins its descent at 11:59 p.m. and reaches the bottom at midnight, while about a million people in the square and millions more on television count down the final seconds. Since 1972 the TV special now known as Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve has broadcast the moment nationwide.
How Americans celebrate
Parties, dinners, fireworks and a champagne toast at midnight are the most common customs. Many people kiss at the stroke of twelve and sing "Auld Lang Syne", a Scottish song made popular in America by the bandleader Guy Lombardo, whose New Year's Eve broadcasts began in 1929. Other cities have their own drops: a giant peach in Atlanta, a guitar in Nashville and a pickle in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. Southern families often prepare black-eyed peas and greens for the next day, meals said to bring luck and money in the new year.
Resolutions and safety
New Year's Eve is the traditional night to make resolutions for the coming year, such as exercising more, saving money or learning a new skill. It is also one of the busiest nights for police and emergency services. Plan a ride home in advance, and check local rules before using fireworks, which are restricted or banned in many cities and states.
Frequently asked questions about New Year's Eve
When is New Year's Eve 2026?
New Year's Eve 2026 is on Thursday, December 31, 2026.
When is New Year's Eve 2027?
New Year's Eve 2027 is on Friday, December 31, 2027.
Is New Year's Eve a federal holiday?
No. December 31 is a regular workday for federal employees, except in years when New Year's Day falls on a Saturday and the holiday is observed on Friday, December 31.
Is the stock market open on New Year's Eve?
Yes. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are normally open on December 31 and close on New Year's Day.
When did the Times Square ball drop start?
The first ball was lowered in Times Square on December 31, 1907. The drop has been held every year since, except in 1942 and 1943 because of wartime blackouts.